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AMES' SERIES OF 

1DARD AND MINOR DRAMA, 






No. 331. 



The Old Wayside Inn 



(DRAMA.) 



WITH (ART OF CHARACTERS, ENTRANCES AND EXITS. 

RELATIVE POSITIONS OP THE PERFORMERS ON THE STAGE, 

DESCRIPTION OF COSTUMES AND THE WHOLE OF THE 

STAGE BUSINESS! CAREFULLY MARKED FROM 

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DRAMAS. 

Arthur Kustsi 1" 

A Desperate Game '* 

After Ten Years 7 

A Life's Revenge 

Arrah de Baugh 7 

Aurora Floyd 7 

Auld Robin Gray 25e ... 

Beauty of Lyons 

Bill Detrl. * 7 

Brae, the Poor House Girl.... t 

Brigand* of Cilabria ' 

Br ken Lin! 

Beyond Pardon " 

Conn; or. L. 

ng the Mist; 

I lllilll Niil"!' 

Dora 

Driventothe Wall I" 

Driven from Home 7 

Dutch .1 il 

Easl Lynne 

Emigrant's Daughter 

Fielding .Manor 9 

Gen ie's Vindication 

( irandinother Hildebrn 
Legacy, 25c 

I l.iunti-il bv n Slid ' 

Hal Hazard, 25c 

Grandeh... 
He Did It.... 

Hidd< n Treasures t 

Hunter of the Alps V' 

Hidden Hand In 

and Shadows ot.the 
Great Rebellion, 

La.lv of Lyons 

Lady Audley's Secret fi 

Lost in Loncb 

ti<l Wife 

Maud's Pen] 

Millie, the Quadr 3 

Miriam's Crime. 
Mich-, i .... K 
of Dervvent Water 5 

Mountebanks 

New York B 

Old Honesty 

Old Phi 's Birthdaj 

12 

Bound 

Painter of Ghent 

flaogo d hi 

Did Peter. 

loom 

Pheelini < •' Rookes' Out 



5 Phyllis, the Beggar Girl... 
HO Reverses .12 

45 K -«'k All. .. 5 3, 

79 Spy of Atlauta, 

uiple Si as 

206 Sweotfarier 11 5 

111 Thekla 

:: s The Vdve-tuvew ... 

2 The ' ioinnierc'.ll ! 'run m 

212 The Dutch Recruit 2"c 11 3 

07 The False Friend 

97 The Fatal Blov 

119 The Forty-Niners 

304 The General Manager 

he Gentleman in Black... 
314 Th ■ flaunt 'd ' ill 

112 The New Magdalen 

nit 

71 The Reward of Crime 

e i hrec at-., .. 
105 Through Snow eed ^unshi 

201 TieKet of Leave Man 

■ ■ ■ , : . 

193 T. 

■:,: The Music H 

2 \\ 

192 Zion 

TEMPERANCE PLAYS. 

7 1 

1ST A n 

202 n 

is", [1 

18] !•'■ ' •■ :. Yea 

-.rdV Life 

18 ' Fi i its of the Wine Can 

2 
M An fill Aunl ... I i 

53 Out in the Streets fi I 

"1 Ri 

59 Sa 

7 4 
, Three Glasses a Da.i 
a- in a B:n ' 
5H Wr. 

COMEDIES. 

1 > i. In \ 1 1 .... 5 ' 

. i'. Trip 7 3 

Li a! Holi 

n Afflicted Family 

.... " 3 





jfe 



The Old Wayside Inn. 



A DRAMA, 

IN FIVE ACTS, 



J. E. Crary, 

Author of "Jacob Schlofs Mistake," "Alma, or United at La>it y " etc. 






TO WHICH IS ADDED 

A DESCRIPTION OF THE COSTUMES— CAST OF THE CHARACTERS— I 

ENTRANCES AND EXITS— RELATIVE POSITIONS OF THE 

PERFORMERS ON THE STAGE, AND THE WHOLE 

OF THE STAGE BUSINESS. 




Entered accordino to the act of Congress in the year 1894, by 

AMES' PUBLISHING CO., I-d 1~) ( ^ *" 

t'»i the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 



-CLYDE, OHIO:- 



AMES' PUBLISHING CO* 



CAST OF CHARACTERS. 

Jack Bf.Ckwith..... Landlord of the Tnn. 

BartJua* Capt. of Robbers. 

£ Rl ™ Stillweli Anearl. 

PatO'Flaghrrty, ) t> , .■ 

JLRitz DvxuKRHOFTra. I Dtechves. 

Washington Jone* Servant: 

l-»LE Blackhart, ") 

Dick Blackhart, >- Rollers. 

Bed Btackhart, j 

Groom and Footman. 
Gypsy Beckwith Lost hevreaa- 

I . I nVc CKWITH Wife of Jack Beckwifh. 

lmdy Stilt well Rfice'a mother. 

i;ADY Arley ....................................;.... Mother of Gypev. 

i'KBTBUDis Roseli jfcfo, of Lady StillweU. 

"iibSMoOR .Gypsy's companion. 

Lady Stillwell, } n , ,,„ 

Lady Akley, / Can « onl,le - 

Gertrude Roseli, 1 n , , , 

Miss Moor, } Cm double. 



COSTUMES.-Modem. 



Jack-Beckutth— Full black beard. 

Bart Juan— Hea\y black mus'acbe. 

Bruce Sttllwell— Brown mustache. 

Ole B. ") 

Red B }■ Heavy black beard. 

Dick B. J 

Pat— S^nrt red beard. 

Fritz— Grey throat whisker. 



SYNOPSIS OF INCIDENTS. 

ACT I.— The Wayside Tnn. Storm on the Moor. Arrival of Lady A VI v ;>nd inf >nt 
daughter. Lill Beokwith warns her. "It is death to remain longer." Arrival of 
Jac'- beokwith. Murder of Lady Arley Lill saves the child. 

ACT TT — A lapse of fifteen years. Lill and Gypsy. The dying woman. "T am 
not. yrur mother." The secret revealed. Jack arrives. A death led Jack'- des- 
pair. Gvpsy discovers ' er mother's paper c , wh'ch reveals her mother's history Bart 
Juan and Jac'- meet. "T know your secret .." "My silence i«, the hand of Gypsv " 
Buice Sti'fwll. lost en the Moor. Seeks shelter, and is wrned by Gvnsy His 
escape. Jack'« oath ct his wife's grave. Murder of Jack and abduct' on of Gypsy, bv 
Bart Juan and hi-* men. Bruce discovers Jack in time to learn of the abduction. 
Death of Jack. 

ACT TTJ.— The Tii<h and Hutch Detectives. "Ish dot so?" Ho • e of Tadv Still- 
well The Cfmpact betweep Bruce and h ; s mother "I love Gypsv Becl-with." Pat 
and Fritz. Ci-ve of the Bobbers. Washington dances at the point of a revolver. 
Grncv'« pwi 1 . Oath of vengeance. 

ACT TV.— Bruce discovers Gyn°y a" an Actress. T shall never marrv my cousin 
Ger'y. Bart Juan nn 1 Bnice. The duel, in which Gerty meet* her death 

ACT V.— Lady Stillwell's attempt to discover the heiress. Bruce aDd Gypsy. The 
proposal. Happy ending. 



TIME OF PL A YING-2 HOURS. 



SI AGE DIRECTIONS. 

K., means R ; ?V: t,.. Left: R. H.. R'gh* Hand: l. tt., L»ft Hind: c. Center; *. >5. 
Tfd E.J Second Entrance: rr. v.. Unner Entrance; u. d.. Middle Door; p., the Flat; 
P. f., Door in Flat; R. c. Right of Center; L. c. Left of Center. 

r. r. c. c. L. c. r« 

,% The readerjs supposed to be upon the stage facing the audience. 



TMP92-008966 



The Old Wayside Inn: 

act r. 

SCENES.— A dimly lit bar-room in Beckwith's Inn. Bar in left corner 
at back of stage, bottles, signs, etc. Table l. c, stove, chairs, r., 
at back. Lill Beckwith discovered sitting back of bar. Light- 
ning and thunder as curtain rises. As a loud clap of thunder and 
flash of lightning is heard, Lill speaks. 

Lill. If it only would strike me. If it only would end this mis- 
erable life of mine, how thankful I would be. (covers face with, 
hand — loud knocking at door, l.) Another victim, (rises) Oh !l 
heaven, how many more ? Is another life to end suddenly — awfully ? 
Not if 1 can help it. (does to door, which is blown open by wind 

Enter, Lady Arley, l. e. 

Shut the iloor quick. (shuts door as they move to C. 

Lady A. My good woman, how frightened you look; but you see 
I am quite harmless, we have been ov, rtaken by the storm and come 
to ask for shelter. 

Lill. Not here, go on your way— your carriage is safer than this 
house. Listen to the wind, every minute I am expecting the bricks 
and tiles to fall about my ears. 

Lady A. Nonsense! (goes behind counter, takes chair vacated by 
Lill) The house is strong enough. If you have no bed for visitors, 
we can rest beside the fire for the night. 

Lill. Do not. (coming close to her) Go, I implore you. This is 
no place for a laly like you. 

Lady A. It is far better than bein<; out in this storm, with noth- 
ing between me, and it but a frail carriage, (shows baby, ivhich 
she has kept under cloak) And there's the little one, if you could ba 
hard hearted to me, I am sure you could not be to my baby. Per- 
haps you have some little one's of your own ? 

Lill. No, I never had a baby. May I— may I hold it for a mo- 
ment. 

Lady A. Of course you may, see she is waking up now. 

(starts to take it, then draws back 

Lill. Loose not a moment, but go! Our beds are damp, the rain. 



4 THE OLD WAYSIDE INK. 

comes through the roof; we have nothing to give you that you couhl 
eat. You had better go. 

Lady A. Who lives here with you? 

Lill. My husband. 

Lady A. He will be more hospitable than you, I am sure. The 
cottage does not look so very damp, anyway I am not half as fright- 
ened in it as I was In the carriage. You cannot refuse to let me 
stay. (voices heard outside, l. — knock at door 

Lill. (coming close, speaks quick) I say you must go, say you 
came to get some milk lor the child; say there is some one coming 
after vou, who will know you have stayed here. As von value 
your life, don't linger. (repeated knocks 

Lady A. In heaven's name, madam, what do you mean? 

(knocks repeated 

Lill, Keep this secret, because I am his wife, and through all, he 
is dear to me in a way, though I shudder at his crimes. It would 
mean death for you to stay. 

Lady A. Death? 

Lill. Yes, death. I must open the door now, but go — go at once 
and keep your jeweled hands under your clo.ik. Don't look fright- 
ened, or he will suspect me and then perhaps— 

(blows on door — Lill opens door 

Enter, Jack Beckwith, l. e., closes door as he spunks— coat wet. 

Jack. What the devil do you mean by keeping me waiting out- 
side on such a night as this? Most wives wait for their husbands 
But ah ! I see vou have company. Beg your pardon, Madam. 

Lady A. Oh! it was my fault, I was selfishly keeping your wife 
doing something for me. But now I must hurry away, and thank 
you lor your hospitality. 

Jack. You'll not stay then? 

Lady A. (raises hand to her head for a moment) No, thank you. 

Jack. Then all we can do is to wish you a pleasant journey. It's 
a night upon which I wouldn't turn my dog out. but if you will go, 
you will, (moves toward door, followed close by Lill, starts to open 
it) You'd better change your mind, it's a terrible night. 

Lady A. (coming nearer) No, it is no question ot choice, I must 
go on. 

He starts to open door, then as if changing his mind, he turns and 
draws knife, stabs her inback, she falls backwards dead — he turns 
to his wife, catching her by the wrists. 

Jack. You have warned her, you she devil you. See what you 
made me do. I might have only robbed her, had you let her stay. 
Now, she is dead. 

Lill. No! no! not dead, Jack, not dead. 

She kneels by the body, Jack grabs her by the arm and throivs her to 
other end of bar. 

Jack. Yes, dead, (throws back cloak and sees child, staggers back) 
A child! a child ! and I must kill that too, or the murder may be 
traced to me, but it will be hard to do. 

Lill, Jack, you shall not do it. (takes hold his arm) Is one 



THE OLD WAYSIDE £2T2fc 5 

murder on your soul, not enough for one night? Let me have the 
child. 

Jack. You? What could you do vvifh it? No! no! I mnst kill 
it. It won't take a big blow to do it. Why did she flaunt her jewels 
before me to tempt me? I'd have let her go, had 1 not seen them. 
Leave go of me, I must kill it. 

Lill. You shall not, or you shall kill me first. Do I ever speak 
to anyone about here? Does anyone ever see me? Can anyone 
swear that I have not a little baby of my own? Give it to me Jack, 
I will have it. 

Jack. Have it, then, dam it. It's horrible to see it there — per- 
hans I'll let yon keep it, and perhaps I won't. (Lill takes child 

Lill. Are you quite sure she is dead? 

Jack. Quite sure. Open the door of your room, I'm going to take 
her in there. , 

Lill. In there? No, no, Jack, not in there! I 

Jack. Yes, in there! open the door woniin, or I'll kill the child. 
(Lill opens door, l., Jack carries body in 

lie-enter, Jack, l. e. 

Take the child in there and shut the door, I must see to those men. 

Lill. Jack. Jack, you are not going to do more murder to-night? 

Jack. Hush ! Do you suppose I am jroin^ to put the hang-man's 
rope about my neck? That would be murder. Go into that room 
and ask no questions. (exit, Lill, l. k. | 

Jack, (opens door — in a loud voice to men) Your good lady is 
going to stay all night; come into the bar and I'll take the horses 
around to the stable. (ex>t, R. e. 

Footman, (outside) There'll be more comfort in the bar, can you 
manage the horses, mate? 

Jack, (outside) I rather think so. Go in, I'll be with you in a 
moment. 

Enter, Groom and Footman, r. e.— business of taking off coats and 
getting warm. 

Re-enter, Jack r. e. 

Now for something hot, swe.'t and strong, (laughs) You must 
spend the night by the fire. I hope you will be able to keep your- 
selves comfortable. 

Groom. Comfortable enough, mite; as soon as you've mixed us 
s^me of that good spirit of yours. By jove ! it's a pleasant change 
from what it was outside. (Jack dmg8 wi £ 

Jack. It will be pleas, liter soon ; you'll drink and then sit by the 
fire and doze, then by and by you'll fall into a quiet sleep. Ha' ha! 
Now mates, your very good health, (they drink at bar and then sit 
at stove) Now, tor some good cold beef. You must excuse my 
wife, not coming to look after you, for vour lady must be attended 
to. 

Footman. Oh! we'll not grumble if you look after us well 
Ladies as ornaments is all very well, but give me a man for useful- 
ness, (exit, Jack, l. e., two men, go to sleep, then fall on floor. 



I THE OLD WAYSIDE INN. 

He-enter, Jack, l. e. 

Jack. Ah! that drug has clone it's work well. Now to finish it. 
(goes to door and looks out) What a night to be out. (goes l., calls) 
Lill, come out here! 

Enter, Lill, l. e., drops into a chair and covers face. 

Ha! ha! after all these years a cowardly sniveling booby still, Lill. 
Bah ! you ought to know better than to feel tear, and really what 
have I clone? All lives are more full of sadness than joy, and 1 have 
made it impossible for trouble to aftect these people longer. I am a 
public benefactor. They are a great deal better oft* than they were 
an hour ago. Get up girl and tell me if you would like any of this 
woman's clothes? (standing in door while he speaks, she shakes her 
head) That's well, it's safest so, but I will trouble the lady for her 
rings and valuables, (exit, into room, returns with body of Lady 
Arley in his arms, he lays her on floor) Come Lill, rouse up! 
(shakes her) I'm going out, if anybody comes, I have not been in 
to-night, no carriage has been here. 

•Pushes Lill into room, l., closes door and carries the dead bodies 

out, R. E. 

Enter, Lill, l. e., seats herself by stove. 

Lill. Oh! heavens, will this ever end. Jack! Jack! why do I 
love him. He leads me a life of misery, a life of hell, but I love him 
in spite of all. Oh! Jack, Jack, once we were happy, Oh! why, 
was I doomed thus to suffer. 0!i ! God in heaven, have pity on me. 
Will it never end? 

Enter, Jack, r. e. 

Jack. Will what end? Never fear, I have thrown off all possi- 
bility of tracing this nights work to me. I placed the two men on 
the box and the lady inside, and started the horses on the run ; where 
they will go I do not know, nor do I care, only that they get far 
a>v«y trom here, (he pulls off his boots, rubber coat and sits by the 
fire) Has any one been here? 

(he sits on the opposite side of the stove from Lill 

Lill. No! is it likely anyone would come upon such a night ? 

Jack. Then remember, I came home at six and have not been out 
since. Where is the child ? 

Lill. Asleep in my room. 

Jack. All right, she is yours. Now come here my beauty ! I wish 
to talk with you. (she does not more) Come here Lill. 

Lill. No, no ! I — I can't have you touch me ; it's too — too terrible ! 
That poor trusting lady, how could you? Oil ! how could you? 

Jack. Come here, or by heaven's, the child shall follow the, 
mother! (she comes slowly and kneels at h : s side, he throws his arm 
around her — she shudders) My beauty! my beautiful wife! Kiss 
me Lill. 

Lill. Spare me that! don't — don't make me kiss you now! 

Jack, (forces her face up to hi*, he kisses her) By my soul, you'r 
a tine wife, but you can't split on me, Lill, the law does not allow a 
wile to split on her husband. Aid you would not if you could. 



THE OLD WAYSIDE INN. 7 

would you, my girl ? You have a little love for me still? 

Lill. Heaven knows I do love you with all my heart! But 
steeped in blood and crime, how can I love you? 

Jack. But you do — you do. See here Lill, when you cease to 
love me, that child shall follow the mother. You understand me? 
And you love me? 

Lill. Yes! yes! (head drops on his knee 

CUB TAIN. 

Note. — The storm should be kept up pretty much all through this 
Act, but not enough to drown the voice of the speakers. 

END OF ACT I. 

A lapse of fifteen years between Act 1st and Act 2nd. 



ACT II. 

SCENE. — Lill Beckwith's room. Lill in bed, Gyp sits by the bed, 
which is on l., door, r. 

Lill. What is the time, Gypsy? 

Gyp. Ten o'clock, mother. 

Lill. Ten o'clock! I wish your father woukl come. 

Gyp. Are you feeling worse, mother? 

Lill. I know that I am dying, and if it was not for you Gypsy, 
I should be glad. 

Gyp. Oh ! no, no, mother ! 

Lill. Ah ! but it's yes, Gypsy. (>he raises up a little 

Gup. Darling mother, you cannot die and leave me alone. What 
shall 1 do without you in this terrible place? I would rather die 
with you than live. 

Lill. You don't love your father, do you Gypsy? 

Gyp. Oh! mothey, how on I love him when I know — 

Lill. And yet I have known. And yes, though I shudderel and 
s'ckened at the thought ot Ids terrihl" deeds, still I have loved him 
for twenty years, and he has lov± 1 me. But you are diderenfc, you 
are not h : s wife — his poor wife whom his sins have killed; you are 
not — you are not even Ids d iug.it r ! 

(■iyp. Mother ! 

Lill. It is true, you are neither his daughter nor mine. 

G;ip. Oil! mother, mother, m>t yours? Oh! please, dearest — don't 
say tli it — please, do not say 1 a u not your child. 

(Gyp kneels at bedside and weeps 

Lll. Hush! Listen, I had meant to ask your father, if I might 
tell you; hut now I see that it is right that 1 should, whether he 
sanctions it or not. Onlv promise, by the love you bear me, that to 
giin-your rights, you will do nothing to harm him. 

Gyp. Mother, I promise. 

Lill. Then listen, darling, ritteen years a?o your mother came 
here with you one stormy night; she was richly clad, and with lovely 
iewels on her hands. She never left the house alive ; but she was 



* THE OLD WAYSIDE INN. 

found murderer], in her carriage, five miles from here, the coachman 
a i fo ? tman on th e hox-seat, both dead. The murder of Lady 
Arley is well known in the=e parts; you have no doubt heard of it, 
and of the missing child. Lady Arley was your mother — you are 
the child that was missing 

Gyp. Mother ! 

Lill. I begared your father— no, my husband, to let me keep you, 
lw fi ** e W!,s never susnected of the crime, and no one knew 

but that you were my child. Your mother left you a great heiress. 
I Gyp. But mother darling, how could I claim my rights — who 
would believe me? 

Lill. No one, had you no proofs, but I have them for you safe; 
no one knows I have them, not even Jack. Your mother in'her agi- 
tation, dropped a little bag on the night that she was murdered, and 
jincling that it contained papers of importance to you, I hid it under 
isto St .l ne ° f the— water ! ( Gyp 9 ioes brandy from bottle) Under the 

Gyp. Yes, mother, yes. 
Lill. Under the st — 

Gyp. Never mind, mother. What does it matter, I do not want 
the paper*. 

j^ But you must, you must. Under the— Gypsy, Gypsy, 

(knock at door, Gyp opens door, R. 



Enter, Jack, r. e. 

Jack. How's von r mother? 

Gyp. She has fainted. 1— T think she is dyingr. 

Jack, (throwing himself on kveps, by bed) My beau f y. my lovelv 
wife, my darling; sppak to me, Lill— Lill, you're not. cjoinsr without 
one word. Lill, for heaven's sake, speak to me. (kisses her hand) 
Brandv, Gyn. she is sinking for the want of it. Could you not look 
after her better than this? There mv beautv, mv darling wife. 
Are you better? (raises her head— she dies) Oh! my G-xl, Lill! 
speak, speak— qronp— Li II ! Dead— dead. 

(Jack holds Lill in his arms, Gyp kneels at foot of bed 

CHANGE TO SCENE I, ACT II. 

SCENE II. — Same as Act ls\. Gyp discovered sitting by stove — knock 
heard at door, i.., Gyp opens. 

Enter, Bart Juan, l. e. 

Hart. Miss Beck with, T believe? 
(?yp. Yps sir! what cm I do for yon? 

Bart. Yps sir! (mocking) I'd just as lief you'd not sir me, Miss 
t want tpr fee your father, girl — where is he? 
Gyp. Fathpris slopping, t %x \\\ ca n ],;,„. (exit, l. e. 

Bart. Well, by hokey, she's a stunner, jes as pretty as an apple 



THE OLD WAYSIDE INN. $ 

blossom. By gad, Bart Juan, you'r a lucky dog; she's an heiress, 
and if you play your cards well, you've got a prize. Hi ! ha! I've 
got it, I know Jack Beckwith's secret, and h% sha'l give me that girl 
for a wife, or he will swing. Or if he don't consent, I'll tap his 
juglar and carry her off to the roost. Once there she shall be mine. 
Luck has been agin me lately, but I think my star shines once more. 
Ah ! here comes Jack. 

Enter, Jack, l. e. 

Jack. What do you want? 

Bart. Ha! ha! ha! Jack Beckw'.th, yer don't find a victim in me 
and you'd better look a bit plea-anter too. Don't yer know me? 
Did yer ever hear of Bart Juan? 

Jack. My God ! Black Bart, I thought you were dead. 

Bart. No, Jack Beckwith, I didn't die. yer see ine don't ye? 
I've come to settle old scores, but I'll let yo i off easy. 

Jack. What will you take for your silence, Bart Juan ? 

Bart. Well Jack, there's no use bein' hot. about it. Let's drink, 
I'll take cherry. (Jack iiqu>-s drinks, the;/ drink) Now jest come 
and sit down by this table here and let's have a talk. (Bart seated 
r., Jack l.) I'm one of them kind as don't like beaten bush, so I'll 
jes tell yer what's what. Yer ask me what I'll take fer my silence 
I'll tell yer, yer darter Gyp's haul in marriage. 

Jack. Man! (rises) villain ! never ! she is not my daughter and 
you know it. She is of aristocratic stock, and too good and pure to 
mate with a murdering cut-throat like Bart Juan. 

Bart. Gol darned complimentary, ain't yer Jack? Say, whose 
the worst, you or I ? 

Jack. She is not my daughter. 

Bart. So much the better, so what do you care. If yer don't do 
as I said, I'll squeal. Think it over old man, and I'll call again. 
I'll have her any way, consent or no consent, an' swing you in the 
bargin, darn my pelt if I don't. So beware, I'll come to-morrow fer 
my answer, so be smart. Farewell, (exit, r. e. 

Jack. Well, what's the difference, she ain't mine, let him have 
her, if he can get her. It's getting dark, I'll go and do the chores. 

(takes drink from bottle and exit, R. e. 

Enter, Gypsy, l. e., lights lamp and pulls down b'ind. 

Gyp. I don't wan'tto lure anv travelers here, he would do as he has 
so olten done in the pa«t, and then heaven help them, (sits by stove) 
It is horrible ! horrible! I seem surrounded by those, whom that 
dreadful man, I call father, has murdered — I seem to see the ghost 
of my poor murdered mother, and yet 1 dare not go. Here I can 
watch and prevent more harm, and yet it is a hard life. Perhaps if 
I could find the papers, I would go. Where can the papers be? 
Her eyes looked towards this door, what stone could she have meant ? 
Ah ! could she have meant the hearth stone? I will see anyway. 

Takes poker, pries tip stone and finds baa, and replaces stone, rises as 
she hears steps and secrets them in her bosom. 

Enter, Jack, r. e. 

Jack. I had a strange fancy, Gyp. I thought I sh >uld see youi 



JO THE OLD WAYSIDE I NX. 

mother sitting there, but she's dead, ain't she. Kiss me girl, kiss 
me. Ain't you happy here, Gyp? 

(kisses her by forcing her fa e up to his 

Gyp. You lor>k as though you needed rest, you are cold — I'll have 
something for you to eat in a moment or two. 

Jack. Hark! what's that, some one coming! 

Gyp. Not here? 

Jack. Yes. here! Where e'se should a traveler stop for rest, if 
not here? Why is'nt the blind pulled up? Do it at once, or he'll 
not see the light. 

Gyp. I'll not do it. (knock at door, Jack goes to door, Gyp lays 
hand on his arm) Who ever he is, I will have no harm come to 
him, remember that. I am not your wife and the law would allow 
me to speak against you. 

Jak. I don't know what you mean, you are not my wife, of 
course, but you are my daughter. 

Gyp. No, lam not even your daughter. We will talk of that 
some ethei time; but give mc your word — swear by your wife's 
grave, that this stranger, who ever he or she may be, shall leave this 
house unharmed. 

i Jack. I'll do no such a thing, (pushes her away) Keep vour 
tongue between your teeth, or, daughter as I have called you these 
many years, although you deny the relationship now, it will be the 
worst for you. (throws door open 

Enter, Bruce Stillwell, r. k. 

Bruce. You give but a sorry welcome and a tardy one. No lights 
gleam in your windows, to light the traveler, and one has to knock 
loud enough to wake the deal. Can you put me an I my horse up 
for the night? 

Gyp. We are sorry, sir! but we have accommodations for neither 
horse or man. 

Jack. For shame, Gvpsy, on such a dark, cold night as this, no 
man, with a roof over his head, should deny admitance toothers. 
It is true sir! that the accommodation that we can offer, is but poor, 
but such as it is, you are welcome to it, very welcome. 

Bruce. And what ever it is, I accept it most gratefully, unless, 
indeed, I shall give too much trouble to — 

Jack. My daughter, sir! No, you'll give no trouble to her, I will 
wait upon you, as I have to wait upon her. Poor men's daughters 
are tine ladies now days and want waiting upon. 

Bruce. Your daughter lo#ks ill, sir! 

Jack. Oh! girls were healthier when they worked harder. 

Gyp. Never mind me. If this gentleman has ridden hard and 
means to stav, his horse ought to be taken care of. 

Bruce. Wisely spoken, I have ridden far and harJ. Perhaps you 
will make him comfortable as you can, at once. 

(Jack lights lantern and gives to Gyp 

Jack. Take the horse 'round to the stable, Gypsy, unsaddle him, 
wipe him clown, give him a good feed and lock him in. 

Bruce. No! no! I could not think of such a thing, it is snowing 
fast, the night is bitter cold and very dark. Show me the way, sir! 
and I will make my horse comfortable for the night. 

Gyp. I will do it, sir! J had rather — (takes lantern and puts shuw 
on head — aside, up stage-* Bruce wanning at stove) He will do uoth 



THE OLD WAYSIDE INN. « 

ingyet — nothing until I have gone to rest. The stranger is safe at 
present. (exit, R, e. 

Jack. Have a drink sir? What is your favorite drink? 

Bruce. I have no favorite, sir! Perhaps a little brandy would do 
me good, half frozen as I am. {they drink 

Enter, Gyp, r. k. 

J< ck. You've made short business of it. 

Gyp. It is not often I act as stable boy. (to Bruce) I will get 
you some supper, (sets table — as Jack turns to bar, she hands 
Bruce note, he reads crumbles and puts in pocket) Ready for supper ? 
This is all we ea i offer you. (Biuice and Jack sit at table, eat 

Bruce. It U good enough, with some ol your father's good brandy 
to warm mo, I ask for n >thing better, and I consider myself a lucky 
man this col 1 night. I am glad, sir! that your heart is less hard 
than your daughter's. I shall be more comfortable under your 
ho-pitable roof, than to be riding tiirourh this storm. 
Jack. Gyp, go and get the gent's room rea ly. 

(they eat and drink 
Bruce. It'- an uncany sort of a place about here, and if what I 
have heard is true, it has not the best of names; men have been 
missing, again and again, who were known to have come in this di- 
rection. 

Jack. Yes, there is a bog in the middle of the mo r; I should say 
thev had sunk in there and been sufloeated; that is my opinion. 

Bruce. Or, they have been killed by footpads and been sunk 
afterwards. 

Jack. Perhaps, but I have lived fere all my life, and I have mver 
heard of footpads in these par s, and what's more, I've never heard 
of any other that had. 

Bruce. And yet it seems strange that so many should sink into 
the bog. 

Jack. Not stranger that six should, or sixty, than one. Some of 
those who have been missing, mu-t have had fire-arm*, just a« you 
may. sir ! 

Bruce. Oh! yes sir, I have. (pulls a small revolver from pocket 
Jack. And had they been interfered with, they would have de- 
fended themselves. May I see that, sir? 

Brace. By all means, (hands to Jack) Anorlinarv colt; you 
see, rhis (pulls another from his pocket) is a different make. 1 find 
no difficulty in snuffing a candle with either of them at any reasona- 
ble distance. (Jack returns colt and lake* the other 
Jack. You do go well armed to take care ot yourself, don't 3011? 
No one could get the better of you, 1 should think, unless they 
caught you napping. 
Bruce. And I am the lightest sleeper in the world. 
Jack, (aside) Well, if I hurt him, it will be his own fault. 

Enter, Gyp, r., 2 E., comes up to bar, Bkuce rises to his feet. 

Bruce. I've had a long day and am tired; will you mind if I wish 
you good night? (s'takes hands with Jack, who shakes heartily 

Jack. 1 hope you'll sleep well? 
JJruce. Oil! I'm sure 1 shall. (!o Gyp) Good- nizht. and thank 



12 THE OLD WAYSIDE INN. 

you for the trouble you have taken for me. (takes her hand 

Gyp. Good-night. (exit, Bruce, r., 2 e. 

Jack. It's about lime you went to bed. 

Gyp. I'm not going yet, I'm cold. (st : rs fire with poker 

Jack. What do you want to do that for? We'll be going to bed 
soon. 

Gyp. You won't, our guest has your room and you must lie on 
the mat here, for the night. 

Jack. True, true, but he's going very early in the morning, so 
you won't get to see him anv way, and I'll get to sleep in my bed 
after all. (clatter of horses hoofs heard) Some one else coming? 

Gyp. No! the sound of that horses' feet is dying away. 

Jack. But, no one hns passed, or we should have heard them. 
(*p ringing to door of room) Sir! sir! open the door! (breaks it open, 
comes back and crab* Gyp by arm) This is some of your work. 

Gyp. Yes, it is, you have done murd r enough. If lean prevent 
it, you shall do no more! (he strikes her, she staggers against bar 

Jack. You — you Ju las! Take eare, lest [ murder yon. 

Gyp. As you murdered my mother? (he recoils 

Jack. My God ! so you know that, do you? 

Gyp. I know that y >u murdered her and her two servants. I 
know who 1 am, and have proofs of whom lam, safely hidden away, 
where you will never find them. My own mother gave them to your 
wife, and she kept them for me, and gave them to me on her dying 
bed, making me promise that I would not try to prove my rights un- 
til you were dead, lest your sins should find you out and justice 
overtake you. I will keep my word, I will not try to prove my 
rights until you are dead, but 1 will have no more murder done. 
The woman, whom I loved and called mother so long, was weak, I 
!>m strong. Swear by her grave that you will kill no more, or, as 
there is a heaven above me, I will inform again-t you. 

(he comes close to her and draws a pistol from pocket 

Jack. Take care how you tempt me. Take care how far you 
drive a desperate man ! None of my blood flows in your veins — why 
should I mind spilling it? 

Gyp. Why indeed ! you have spilled plenty before, but you will 
not spill mine. Put down that pistol, and promise me, swear by 
your wife's grave; it is the only oath you will hold sacred. 

(puts pistol down 

Jack. I'll not swear. What is it to vou, you are no child of 
mine. Go to your room, I will do as I will. 

Enter, Bart Juan, l. e., unobserved by Jack and Gyp, and listens. 

Gyp. When you have taken the oath I will, but not until then. 
Do you know that your wicked sins killed your wile? Would you 
keep her spirit in hell, as it were, with your murderous deeds now? 
Is it not enough to have made her life a hell here? Must she look 
down and see the man who, with all his vileness, she loved, per- 
suing the same course still? (catches Gyp's hand in his 

Jack. Do you think she can see me now? 

Gyp. 1 believe she can. 

Jack. And I'm spoiling her heaven? 

Gyp. Yes. 

Jack. Then I'll swear, Lill, my beauty, my wife. I swear I'll do 



V 



THE OLD WAYSIDE ItfN. ^ 

no more murder. By your grave, I'll take rr j oath I won't. 

He has dropped on his knees, exit, Gyp, l. e. — Bart comes near and 
taps him on the shoulder, as he kneels with his face in his hands. 

Bart. Fool! Where is your manhood, that ye allow yerself to be 
bambozeled and humbled by a chit of a girl? Stand up, be a man. 
Give us something to drink. (Jack rises, noes to bar, pours out 
liquor, they drink) Well, how do you feel now? I've come for my 
bride. 

Jack. Bart Juan, T have no bride for you. Sooner than see that 
pure girl your wife, I would drive a dagger to her heart. 

Hart. Fool! as you sai 1 to that Jade. Beware, how you goad a 
desperate man. Come — 

Jack. Bait Juan, you have my answer. Now go! 

(Jack presents a cocked pistol at Bart's heart. 

Bart. Fool ! you have sealed your own doom. 

Bart throws billy and knocks pistol out of Jack's hand, Bart draws 
knife and advances toward end of bar. 

Jack. Ha! ha! Think you I fear you? I will meet you on equal 
ground, with equal weapons. Come! here i* the time and place. 
{draws danger and advances around bar to center of stage) Now B trt 
Juan, one of us must die — come ! 

They approach each other, watching each other closely — Bart thrusts 
knife into Jack, he falls apparently dead. 

Enter, Gyp, l. e., as Jack falls — screams— falls faint ing . 

Bart. Ah! now T will see about my pretty bird. Ah! here she 
is and in a faint. Now Miss Lillian Ar'ey and her fortune shall be 
mine. A lit tie of Jack's brandy will restore her. egad, (gets boltle 
and pours a Jew drops between her lips, she revives, he h'-lps her to a\ 
chair) Now, how do you feel my beauty? Miss, y A u ire my pri- 
soner, d"n"t attempt any dang foolishness, or you'll ^-t what your 
father got, egad. I'd like to know what became of my men. 

(goes to door and ichistles several times 

Enter, Red Blackhart, Ole Blackhart and Dick Blackhart, 

L. E. 

Well, you fellows must have been deaf, or you would have heard his 
pistol shot, egad, but I downed him. Now, I'll jest get rid of the 
gal, and then for a little drink. 

(ties Gyp's hands and carries her into bedroom, L. 

Re-enter, Bart, l. e. 

There, I gue=s she'll stay, she seems kind o' dazed and doesn't speak 
much, but when I get her to the roost, I'll make her speak. Now 
for something to drink, and then for the roost, we must reach there 
before daylight. (Baht pours liquor, they drink 

Bed B. Not a bad looking: lout that. (points to Jack 

Ole B. Looks like he was a hard cuss to handle, pals. 
iJick B, Yes, but Bart Joan would handle the devil, (all lauqh 



U THE OLD WAYSIDE IXX. 

Bart. You fellows woulil have thought he was the devil, if you'd 
have had hold of him. He fought like a lion, but I got the best ol 
him. And now the poor cuss is defunct, l'llgo and put that gal to 
sleep, and we will be on our way. (exit, into room, L. 

Red B. Wat we goiu' ter do wid his carcus, pals? 

Ole B. Du de devil, let her lay an' rot, it nobody finds it. 

Dick B. Say, while Clap's in there, let's have some licker. 

(they drink 

Bed B. Say pals, w'at dos' Cap intend ter do wid dat gal? 

Dick. I expect lie intends ter marry her. She wasn't that feller's 
daughter, so I understand it. 

Ole B. No, she's de darter of a female dat Beckwith put to sleep 
about fifteen years ago. That fellow was a hard one. He has car- 
ried on his wholesale minder for outer twenty-rive ye'rs now. 

Eater, Bart, l. e. 

Bart. Here, you fellows hadn't better drink any more of that 
stuff until we get to the roost. Ye mav have to tight goin' home, 
and 1 want you to be on yer guard. That gal means a big fortune t > 
me, and besides that, a mighty nice wife, and if we are interfered 
with when we're goin' home, I want you fellows to be on yer guard. 
I had some trouble in gettin' the beauty to sleep. You fellows gee 
the carriage around here and we'll be a goin'. 

(exit, Dick and Red, r. e. 

Ole B. Is there anything in this ere shanty worth goin' through? 
Do you think Beck had anv stuff? 

Bart. Not unless it's in his pocket. 

Ole B. Well, if he's got anvthing in his pocket*, I'll find out 
pretty quick, (examines Jack's pockets) I've got a little stuff and 
a good pop gun. Now let's have one more drink before the boys 
come. (they drink 

Enter, Dick, r. e. 

Dick B. The rig is ready, so bring on yer gal, Cap., and let's be 
off. (exit, Ole B., r. k. 

Bart goes into room, returns, carrying Gyp, who is unconscious, car- 
ries her out r. e. 

Re-enter, Bart, r. e. 

Bart. Rest in peace Jack, o'd boy. You can let yer ghost run de 
shanty awhile. My fortunes already made; Lillian Arley in my 
hands, I have the cards that will rake in a mighty big jack pot. I'll 
just blow this light out, so as not ter hurt yer eye sight, (blows 
light out) So fare-well, and peace to your ashes. Ha! ha! ha! 

Exit, Bart, r. e. — pause — a rap is heard on the door, winch is re- 
peated several times. 

Enter, Bruce, r. e. 

Bruce. Landlord ! where are you, landlor 1 ! This is another nice 
reception. Something has happened, I will get a light, (lights 
candle) What this! Jack Beckwith dead ! What does this mean? 



THE OLD WAT SIDE INN. 15 

Where can Gypsy be. Perhaps he is not, yet quite dead, and will 
tell me. (looks at him, gets branch/ bottle and gives him some — he 
groans) Where is Gypsy? Tell me man, where is she? (heptits 
his head down to Jack's) Oh ! my God, Blaek Bart, kidnapped ! 
Oh! God, have mercy on that poor girl. He can tell me no more, 
so I must leave. I will rind her though, and Black Bart, beware. 
1 will get the Irish detective to work for me. and this man must be 
run to earth. Oh! Gypsy! Gypsy! where are you now? What 
will mother say to this mad love of mine. She must be found, ehe 
faved my life, and now I will find her and save her from a fate 
worse than death. 

CURTAIN. 

END OF ACT II. 



act in. 

SCENE T.— Sitting room at Lady Sttllwell's — Lady Stillwell 
and Bruce discovered seated c, Bruce r., Lady Stillwell l, 

of table. 

Lady S- Bruce, there has been something on my mind for a long 
time, and now I must tell you. 

Bruce. What is it mother? 

Lady S. There's one wish of my life, that you have never ful- 
filled, but which you can. 

: Bruce. Mother, why do yon keep me in suspense? What is it? 
ThU wish of your life; speak, and if it lays within my power, it 
shall be granted. 

Ijndy S. Thank you Bruce, you make me very happy. My wish 
is this, that vou marry your cousin Gertrude. 

Bruce. Mother, I don't love Gerty, and I can iW m-irry her. 

Lady S. Why can you not marry her, Biucp? She is good, she 
would make you a s:ood wife, besides, it is the wish of mv life. 

Bruce. Mother, I will tell you why, I told vou of the girl that 
saved mv life. I love her. I must find her. If we ever meet ao-ain, 
■I sha 1 ask her to be my wife, for I love her with a deep love,°and 
have onlv seen her once. 

Lady S. Br'ice Stillwell, I am ashamed of vou. A murderer? 
daughter! For shame! Where is your Stillwell pride? 

Bruce. Mother, lean not help it. 

Lady S. W< 11, well, we will not quarrel, but I wish you to make 
me a promise, Br ce. 

Bruce. What is it mother? 

Lady S. This that you promise me, if you do not meet this young 
Lvlv in three years, you will then ask Gertv to marry you. 

Bruce. I nromise. 

Lady S. Thank you Bruce, and now I must go and prepare for 
the companv. ( exit Lt E> 

Bruce. Yes, if I do not find her in three years, I will ask Gerty to 
marry me. but I must find her, and look for a good detective to hunt 
to? BlackJJart. lexiu Lt B# 



*6 THE OLD WAYSIDE INK. 

SCENE II. — Office of the Detective, who is discovered sitting at the 
table as curtain rises — bell rings. 

Pat. Ah! there me shwatc heart, (ring) Yissir! yis sir! com- 
ing right away, me hearty coming right away, sur! 

Enter, Bruce Stillwell, r. e. 

Come in me bye. Take a cheer, (sits) An' what can Pat O'Fla- 
gherty do for ye to-day, Mr. S illwell. Sure yer not looking well 
at-all, ar-all. Phat, the divils alio' ye my bye. If there's anything I 
can do for ye. ju-t sphit er right out. 

Bruce. Yes, Pat, I want you to help me. 

Pat. Just g ve us yer case me bye, and if Pat and Fritz don't raise 
the divil, you can call us N". G. 
I (produces note book and jots doion Bruce's story 

Bruce. Well Pat, I'll commence at the beginning. Night before 
last I was riding over the Moor a :d got caught in a snow storm. [ 
stopped at the Wayside Inn an 1 asked for lodging. There was an 
ol 1 man and a lady there. The young lady warned me to flee for 
my life, so I escaped out of the bedroom window. Towards morn- 
ing I went back, for I feared that man would harm the young lady, 
if he found out that she had warned me. When I got there, the 
lights were out, and when I lit them, there lay the Landlord dead, 
or nearly so; by giving him some brandy, I revived him a little. I 
asked for the younglady and he said, <,; Black Bart kidnapped!" and 
he was dead, his name was J.-ick Beckwith, and his daughter's name 
Gypsy. I wish you to find the young lady for me, and to bring that 
man Black Bart to justice. I will give you and your partner, each 
$.•{,000 for the job. 

Pat. Howl'y murther. but that's a regular dime novel affair and 
that Black Bart is a hard case, he is a cut-throat, counterfeiter, and 
the divil knows what all. And if he's to be found, ye may be sure 
that Patrick O'Flagherty and Fritz Dunderhoftin wi.l rind them. 
We are the bye s that are always on hand, and divil a drop of whiskey 
will me pinin' constitution get, until Black Bart and his low-lived 
crew are behind the bar. Yes sur! 

Bruce. Well Pat, do your best and go to work at once. Good-by 
and good luck. (exit, r. e. 

Pat. Ah ! the time will now come when we can show to the 
aworld that roe are the Detectives. I wish that dirty Dutchman 
would get a move on him and get here. The dirty divil goes to the 
saloon too much for my company, and bejabers, it's got to be stopped. 

Enter, Fritz, r. e., singing. 

Dry up ye noisy galoot, and sit down here — I got a case. 

Frits. So, s — o. Ish dot so? 

Pat. You jest bet yer loife it's so, and bad lu'k to the loiks of ye, 
if ye don't l'ave the mug alone. 

Fritz. Say Pat, maby you tol' me dot case, don't it. 

Pat. Yes sir! A young bye goes to the Old Wayside Inn, and is 
warned by a girl to flee. 

Frits. S— o. 

Pat. An' he flew. 

Fritz. Ish dot so ? 



THE OLD WAYSIDE WN. If 

Pat. He skips and comes back in the morning and finds the owld 
man did, b a jabers. 

Fritz. Oc — du — leva — Gut — im — himmel. 

Pat. That's phat, and the girl was carried off by a fellow called 
Black Bart. 

Fritz. Dunter nn blitzen, vos dot son of a cork-schrew de feliovr 
vot kilt.de innn? 

P it. That's me logick, Dutchey. 

Fritz. Gif us your paw, Pat, ve vos kotch dot fellow, musn't we ? 

Pat. That's so. (shake hands 

CHANGE TO CAVE SCENE. 

SCENE III. — Rubbers den — cave E., R. — cell clour L. Empty boxes and 
kegs littered around, four stools and a table. 

Enter, Washington, from cell — p'le of boxes r., dimhj lit byoillimp. 

Wash, (down stane) Oh! Golly, 1'se dat tired dat Gabriels 
l/iumphet wouldn't 'feet me if 'twa- blown right in rav ears. Dog- 
gon-'t, l's gettin' mity tired ofdis roost. Dar am too much work for 
dis chile. An' den 1'se gettin' dat shakey dat de leas' noise gi's me 
de ague. Oh! I ain't a coward, but 1'se gettin' scared. Dat Bart 
ij'in de debil hisself. I'd like to know what he's up to. He calls me 
a dirty nigger and says, I don't know nuftin', but he'll t'ink he's 
worf sumtin' if dis chile gits mad. Go ly, der's someone coming. 
(three raps on door, r., Washington opens 

Enter, Men, r. e., followed by Bart, carrying Gyp. 

Bart. Wash, did you fix the bed n t e cell for this gal, as I told 
yon ? 

Wash. Yes, sah ! I did, an' I cleaned up de kitchen and washed 
de clothes nn' fed de rats an — an — (all very J as t 

Bart. Well never mind, but open that cell door. 

(Washinton opens door, l., Bart carries Gyp in 

Re-enter, Bart, l. e. 

I must prepare fome better accommodation for that gal, so you fel- 
lows wait here till T cora^ hack. (exit, R. e. 

Ole B. Well, if dis ain't de darnde-t job I've seen for a long spell. 
Let's have something to drink and plav a little game of card-. Pull 
up here. (th»y pull up, Ot.Eo< R., Dick at back andB.KD, l.) Coma 
yn nigger, get ns some licker. 

Wash. Yes, sah! (aside) I'd like to lick yer. 

Rid B. Come, move on there, we are thirsty. 

(exit, Washing ion, in cell and gets bottle 

Re-enter, Washington, l. e., pours liquor in wine glasses. 

Fill her up and drink to the health of our Cap's, wife, or her as is to 
be. (Washington looks on 

Dick. Cards ain't lively enough for me, let's have something more 
st iring. Come here you nigger and dance. 

Wash. Oh! Lor' Massey' T can't dance, I'ss got de lumbago In 
de stomach, an* I'se nearly dead. 



•" THE OLD WAYSIDE IXN. 

D ck. Como boys, let's make him dance, or he'll get killed. 

(all draw near and Washington kneels 
Wash. Oh! Lor', Oh! Lor', don'tjshoot massy Dick, don't shoot, 
I'll do anything, but don't shoot. 
D ck. Well dance. 

They shoot at his feet as he dances — rap heard at door, r. — Washington 
goes to door. 

Enter, Bart, r. e., who has been rapping while Washington was 

dancing. 

Bart. Damn you fellows, thi> is prettv conduct for men. I' 1 
learn von fellows to ' e more quiet, if you don't look out. Still well 
has hired that cursed Irish sluth to hunt for the gal, and if he should 
come here, our roost would he broken up. You fellows can go t~> 
the fi'reet and keep a loo'cout, and you — you bl lek dog, keep your 
tongue between your teeth and watch sharp for those detective *. 
Now go! (the three brothers exit, R. e. 

Wash. Yes Mns^y, I'll look sharp. (exit, AVashington, r. e. 

B irt. Now for an interview with that sal. (goes to ceil and opzns 
door) Come my pretty bird I have something to tell you. 

Enter, Gyp, from c 11. 

Sit do -. n here on this sk> >1 and listen, but first give me a k's*. 

(he advances 

Gyp. Back sir! if vou dare touch me I' 1 call for help. 

Bart. Well mv fine lady, you may cry for help till you are black 
in the face, for all the good 'twill do. Do you know where you arc? 
Do vou know whose hands you are in ? 

Gyp. Sir! I do not know where I am, but what ever your pur- 
pose is. you will fin ' that I am no weak woman. 

Bart. Ha! ha! I'll soon make you change your tune my tine gal, 
I have brnu'.ht yo-i h°re to make vou my wife. 

Gyp. That I will never be. You in iy Kill me, but I will never 
marry you. 

Bart. Ha! ha! w»'ll see. Tiiis young laxly, is an underground 
retreat, it Is called Back Bart's roos''. I am Black Bart, (strikes 
hand onbreas:) Lseape is useless, and you will becomo my wife or 
suffer torment wore than de th, worse than hell itself. 

Gyp. Sir! I have heard of Black Bart and know he is a terrible 
man, and even if vou be he, T do not foar you. 

Bart. By heavens! your a brave gal, I'd let you go if I had your 
f itune. 

Gyp. Sir: you may have mv fortune if you w 11 but let me go. 

^art. No, your too fine a gnl to loase, ye must be my wie. 

Gyp, Oh sir' I p'ead to vou, let me go. Not one word of what I 
have seen and heard, will I ever disclose. Sir! for the love you 
bore your mother, 1 he:* of vou, let me go. 

Bart! Hush! Never say mother to me, I never had one. She 
turned me to the doss when I wa=» hut ten vear-? old, and I live only 
for revenue. Never speak that word to me a<rain. Gypsy, heir me, 
if you will become mv wile. I wi 1 leave oft' my evil wavs and he- 
come a man. I will be honest and a peaceful, loyal cit'zei. Refuse 



THE OLD WAYSIDE TN N. ™ 

me, and as sure as yo.i stand there, you will suffer torments worse 
than death. 

Gyp. Sir! I see you have no heart and I defy you, Black Bart, do 
your wort. (noise outside 

Bart. Do the worst I can, hev? Wei!, just go to your room and 
I will see you later. Now 20, the bows are coming:. 

(exit, Gyp, r. e. — raps at door, Bart opens 

Enter, the three Brothers, l. e. — all sit. 

Bart. Well, what have you seen. 

Dick B. That are dam nigger has squeeled and I expect a posse 
of police will be down here in a few minute-:. 

Bart. Damn him, I'll make quick work of him, if I ever set eye* 
on him. (noise among boxes at R. of stage, all leap up and pull revolvers) 
What's that, keep a sharp look out and shoot the first thing that ap- 
pears. 

Fritz, (from behind boxes) Ince, scwi, dri — 

Pat, Fritz, and Washington fire, the light is put out and a general 
fight ensues several shots are fired, then all is quiet — Gyp, who sens 
the door open, brings light out and runs of r. — Pat is in thecorner 
1.., senseless, Fritz at r. under a big dry goods box, Washington 
at c. of stage with table turned upside down on him — Bart and three 
Brothers gone. 

Fritz. Dnnder veter! vat vas dat, Ivos struck by some lightnings 
an I I feel de vate of de stroke yet. 

Wash. Say, Duehey, come lift di-< dog-gon table oft of me. 

Fritz. 1 can't do dot Vashington, I vos under pressin' circum- 
stances myself. Pat, Oh, Pat! shloffs du? Zav, vos dot boy hurt. 
(titrates off box and tumbles table off Washinton — they discover Pat 
and cairy him to center of stage) Say Pat, vos you dead ? Vy de 
ilivil, don't you spoke to me? If you vos dead, say so aid don'tr 
k ep me in oxpence. Vashingon get some viskv and we brings him 
around. (Washington gets whisTcy from cell, Fritz gives to Pat — 
Pat jumps up, and as he does so, knocks Fritz over) If dot vos de 
vay you uses ine old friend, you may go to the divil, you old Irish 
wh skey keg. 

Pat. Whist now, be aisy Friz, sure and I didn't mean to upset 
you at all, at all, it was an ac ident me bye, an' I begs yer humble 
pardon, Fritz. 

Fritz. Yah, dot vos all right mine friend. 

Pat. But didn't those divils give it to us though? Sure. I thought 
someone had explo led a cannon forninst me heal. Now boys, 
divil take the thr-e of us, if we don't catch them dirty dogs, so I 
1 ropose to take Washington as a partner in our detective business. 
Wii.it do ye say, Fritz? 

Fr tz. Dot vos ust vot I want to do. He fight ust like some packs 
o' Ingeons. So I say, let Vashington shon us and ve vill lif only 
for revenge. Any remarks? 

Wash. Dats ges wh:it I want to do, revenga ourse'fs on dat 
V'l van Black Bart. 

Pat. Well bys, let's be gettin' out of this place, but where is the 
girl. 

Wash. She dun brought de light an' skipped. 



w THE OLD WAYSIDE INN. 

Pal. W«U, if she is gon', we must find her. But I want ye bye's 
to swear to an oath. 

Fritz. Vot she vos ? 

Pat. Whist! that ve swear to dovo'o ver whole life to the run- 
ning down of Black Bar. and tlie Bi c ..u.irt brothers. 

Fritz. I 

Wash.\ w e swear. 

Pat. Well we will part now, and ye bye's kape sober, or, bv the 
holy smoke, the company '11 hive a strike. (all d no t slaje 

Fritz, i Black and white together band, 
Wa*h. ) *° w 'P e those villains from the land. 

CURTAIN. 

END OF ACT III. 



ACT IV. 

■SCENE I. — Same as scene 1st, in Act 3rd — Lady Sttllwell dis- 
covered R. of table. 

Lady S. It is three vears since Bruce promised me he would 
marry Gerty, if he did not see that girl. Thank God, he has not 
seen her and at last my dream will be realized. 

Enter, Bruce, l. e. 

Ah ! you have come. 

Bruce. You sent for me mother, what do you want? 

Lady S. Bring your chair here, Bruce, I want to talk with you. 

(Bruce sits in chatr l. of able 

Bruce. Wha f now Mother? I am in a hurry. 

Lady S. Do you remember our compact t ree years ajo, and 
what you promised ? 

Bruce. Three years to-morrow, we must be particular. 

Lady S. Three year* a r o to-morrow thou, you promise 1 me that, 
if in that time vou did not; again seethe sir', with whose face you 
fell in love, on some dreadful moor, wher .*. you say she sav<*d your 
life, you wou d propose to Gerty. supposing her still to b» i unmar- 
ried — as I knew she would be, fo/ I know she loves you with her 
whole heart. 

Bruce. I hope and believe you are mistaken, mother, for I do 
not think that Gerty loves me. 

Lady S. Well, we shall see. You will nropose to-morrow? 

Bruce. No mother, I can never marrv Gertv. 

Lady S. You know why I am so anxious. Gerty is rich, and you 
my son, may at any time, have your inheritance, all but the tit'e, 
snatched from you. yon know. When poor Lady Arley was mur- 
dered, the little girl was not killed, hut sto'en. At anv time she 
may be found and claim h r rights; then, my dear boy, what would 
you do? 

Bruce. I shall never marry Gerty, even if she woil 1 accept, me 
now, mother. Our compact was not over until to-m^rr.iw, and I 
have seen the woman a<rain, whom I hive loved for thr e years, 

ladv S, Seen her! When? Whe.e? 



THE OLD WAYSIDE INN. SI 

Bruce. At the Opera, mother ; Miss Mona Fresider is none other 
than Gypsy Beckwith, the woman who saved my life three years 
ago. 

Lady S. Miss Fresider? Impossible, she has been playing for 
three years. 

Bruce. For almo.-t as long, perhaps. Yon remember that night 
after I had left the moor and the old Wayside Inn, and escaped such 
a terrible danger— though, to be pure, I have never told you exactly 
what that danger was — I was afraid the beauti'ul girl might have 
suffered, through helping me, and I drove back to see. 1 found the 
door of the Inn unlached and entered. The light was out, so I lit it, 
and there, on the floor, lay the man who owned the Inn. I saw he 
was not quite dead, so I gave him some brandy and he revived 
enough to mutter, when I asked for her, "Black Bart, kidnapped," 
then lie died. I set some tie ectives to work and they found them, 
but she got away, as did Bart and his men. bhe must have come 
straight to London, and I suppose, must have managed to get an 
engagement. 
i Lady S. And now — 

Bruce. And now, I must see her, and if it is posslb'e make her 
love me, she shall be my wife. 

1 Lady S. Your wife? An actress, the daughter of an Inn keeper, 
the wife of an earl ! For shame, Bruce. 

Bruce. I am eorry, mother, if she, whom I would choose, if pos- 
s ble, for my wife, offends you, but I mean what I say. I wrote her 
a note, (han is note) vou can read what she says. She will not see 
me, but for all that, I must try again. 

, Lady S. You wi.l force your attentions upon her, Bruce — is that 
srentlemanly ? (Bruce rises 

' Bruce. I hope you can trust me to be nothing less than that. It 
•i* a matter of life and death to me, mother. I must know her. I 
know it must seem ahsurd to you, that I have fallen in love with a 
face, and that I have kept faithful to that love through three long 
years. But I do love her mother, and I shall be a miserable man 
indeed, it I cannot win her for my wife. 

Lady S. But Bruce, you know nothing of her. You talk quite 
wildly. 

Bruce. I am in d adly earnest, mother, and I must go. 

Lady S. You must do what yon will, of course. Your too old 
for me to dictate to, bi t I wish you would let this actress go. And 
mv dreams of vou and Get tv, they will never be realized. 

Bruce. Never, mother, I would have kept our compact, though 
it would have made my life miserable; but, thank heaven 1 the three 
years are n 't up yet, and I have seen her. Good evening. 

(exit, h. E. 

Enter, Gerty, r. e. 

Gerty. You look weary, aunt, and you are alone. Where is 
Bruce? 

Latiy S. Gone — gone on a [fool's errand, Gerty. Oh ! darling- 
darling, my more than daughter, this is a bitter nieht for us. 

(Gkrty kneels at Lady Stillwell's feet 

Gerty. Hush, aunt, hush \ go jgpg as no harm has come to Bruge, 
(low can H be a bitter night? 



** THE OLD WAYSIDE INN. 

Lady S. Listen ! You know what has always been in my heart, 
what I have always wished, that you and Bruce might love one an- 
other. And you Gertv, you would have loved him? 

Gerty. Why should I be ashamed to say it? I do love him. 

Lady S. As a wife ought? 

Gerty. With all my heart. 

Lady S. You would have taken him for your husband, had he 
asked you? 

Gerty. I would have asked no greater happiness. But something 
tells me now, aunt, that it will never be. Well, I can love him still 
and hope and pray for his happiness. 

Lady S. With some other woman ? 

Gerty. Do we not naturally wish for the happiness of those we 
love? Had he loved me, I would have tried to made him happy, 
but since that is not to be, I hope he will be hapov, very happy, with 
the woman he loves. Tell me all about it, aunt. 

Lady S. Oh! it's most disgraceful! You remember, three years 
ago, his life was saved by a girl on the Moor. S ie was carried oft" 
by some one, and he has never seen her since, until last night. But 
now, just as my dream of life is about to be realized, he finds her. 

Gerty. Where has he fouml her? 

Lady S. At tJie theater. The girl he loves is Mona Fresid r. 

Gerty. The beautiful Miss FresMer. 

Lady S. Yes, she is beauiful, enough, but who is she — what is 
she? Could not you or I do something to prevent this marriage? 

Gerty. Why aunty, you would not try to prevent what is for his 
happiness? 

Lady 8. But can it be for his happiness, to marry her? If we 
can prevent it, he will thank us in after years. 

Gerty. No! no, aunt, Bruce is not a silly, hot-headod youth, he 
will do nothing rash. Let us wait and see what will happen, and be 
sure, it will b ■ for the best. 

Lady S. You talk calmlj\ You can give up the man you say you 
love, without an eft'ort. (exit, R. e., angrily 

Gerty. Yes, because I love him better than I love myself. Oh! 
Bruce,' .Bruce my love, my life, lost to me forever. Oh! that I 
»'ight die for him. (sinks into chair 

CHANGE TO STREET SCENE. 

SCENE II.— Street. 

Enter, Bruce, l. e. 

Bruce. She would not let me accompany her home. But I must 
5nd where she lives. She started on foot. She must come this way. 

(exit, L. e. 

Enter, Gyt, r. f., arm in arm i"ith Miss Moor— as they reach c. of 
staae, Dick B. enters l. e., Red B. and Ole B. r. e. Dick takes 
hold of Gyp's arm. and she screams. Enter, Buuce, r. e. and 
knocks Ole and Red down — Dick and Bruce fijht — Bruce 
knocks Dick down — goes to Gyp's side. 



Bmce. Miss Fresider, are you hurt? 
Gvo. Ob ! no. not at all- 



THE OLD WAYSIDE INN. « 

Bruce. Well, we must get away from here as quick as possible. 
Now my men stand off. (Dick and brothers rise 

DickB. Stand off yerself and mind yer own business. Perhaps 
you've got a purse too and a watch, and a ring likely as not. If so, 
hand 'em out. 

Bruce. I have all these tilings, but I happen to have a use for them, 
so stand off, or it will be the worst for you. ( they all laugh, Bruce 
draws nvolvtr) The first who comes a step nearer, is a dead man. 
It is no idle threat — I mean it, by heaven ! There are six bullets here, 
and if need be, not one of them shall fail in taking a life. 

(men draw back 

Dick B. All right Gov'ner, we were only larkin'. Pass on as 
soon as you like; we'll not try to stop you. 

(Bruce and girls exit, r. e., still holds revolver 
Ole B. Say, ain't that Cap's, long lost gal? 

As he speaks, enter, Pat, Washington and Fritz, r. e., with leveled 

revolvers. 

rat. 

Wash. V Surrender! At last we meet. Surrender or die. 



Fritz. 



(the three brothers fall into line, up and down l. of stage 



Dick. ) 

Ole. f Never ! 

Bed. J 

T!,eg try to draw pistols, Fritz says fire, and they shoot — the three fall 
l. — Pat, Washington and Fritz turn down stage. 

,y ' , At last we've met the cowardly foe, 

• f A m I ill tlio (Inch wd'vo lnirl 'oin hutr 



Fritz. J 



And in the dust we've laid 'em low. 

Pat. Washington. Fritz. 

CURTAIN. 

SCENE III. — Same as scene 1st, Act 4th. — Bruce discovered paceing 
back and fur th. 

Bruce. To-morrow I am to call up m her, an 1 then — 

Enter, Bart, r. e., unobserved, during Bruce's speech 

Bart. What! 

Bruce. Man. what >lo v it want here? Who are you? 

Bart. I am Black Birt, 1 have come, Bruce SMllwell, to demand 
sat Ufaction at your hands. If you are not a miserable coward, you 
will ^ive me wh-.it I ask. 

Bruce. Black Bart, what can you demand satisfaction from me 
for ? 

Burt. You, Bruce Still well, love the s ime girl that I do. I am 
I) ttheroueh, uneducated cut-thro it you take me for. No, Bruce 
Stillwed, I love Gypsy Beckwith, and you love her too. The world 
can not hold us both-=you know me well—you or I must die— I give 



z * THE OLD WAYSIDE INN. 

you a chance for your life. Fight me to my face, or by heaven! I 
will kill you like a dog. Gerty appears at l. d. 

Bruce. Black B.irt, be it as you say, you will find that Still well 
blood is hard to spill. 1 will meet you when and where you will. 

Hart. Ah! fool, we will see who will win Gyp Bcckwith now. 
(goes to door, r., laughing— at door) Meet me at the old grove, 7 a. 
m.. with your man and this will be settled. Farewell, {exit, R. e. 

Bruce. Now to pay the score I owe that vi lain, I will go and 
make arrangements. (exit, r. e. 

Enter, Gerty, l. e. 

Gerty. Oh! my God, what shall I do? He fight that terrible 
man at 7 a. m. — (takes watch) it is now 6 o'clock, only one hour. 
Where is the old grove? Oh! Bruce! Bruce! you shall not die. 

(exit, R. e. 
CHANGE to wood scene. 

SCENE IV.— Grove. 

Enter, Bart and second, R. e. 

Bart. Now for victory or death. Ah ! they come. 

Enter, Bruce and second, l. e. — each of seconds carry a sword. 

Bruce. Well, we ;ire here. We fight with swords, do we not? 
Bart. Yes! are you ready ? If so, begin at once, I want this j b 
on" my hands. Take any position you wish, but fight. Come on. 

iThey take swords from secondhand cross in center — Bruce's second 
holds sworl betmeen and he counts o»e, two, three, and steps back. 
Bruce, r. c., Bart, l. c. — Bruce's second stands to his l. and 
Bart's the same. They fight and do not see Gerty as she enters, 
L. v., on Bart's r. Bruch; knocks Barts sword from his hand, 
and with a curse, Bart steps back and draws revolver — Gerty 
screams and throws herself between them and receives shot — she 
falls. Enter, Pat, Fritz and Washington, r. e., with leveled 
revolvers and shoot Bart, toko falls. They gather around Gerty 
andjorm tableau — Bruce holds Gerty up. 

Gerty. Bruce! Bruce! good-by, good-by, I— die — for— you. 
CURTAIN. 

END OF ACT IV. 



ACT V. 

SCENE I. — A neatly furnished room — table c. 

Enter, Lady Stillwell, r. e. 

Lady S. (seating herself l. of table) Now to meet that woman. 

Enter, Miss MoQR, R, E, 

[rising) Mies Fresider, I believe ?_ 



THE OLD WAYSIDE INN. 25 

Miss M. You can surely never have seen Miss Fresider, Lady 
Stillwell, or you would not take me for her. I am her friend 
and companion. Miss Fresider has scarcely finished dressing, but 
she will be here in a moment. {exit, R. e. 

Lady S. I suppose she is painting her face and dressing herself in 
silk or someth ng of that sort, but she will find that my eyes are 
sharper than my son's. 

Enter, Gyp, r. e. 

Gyp. You will excuse my having kept you w liting, but my work 
keeps me up late nights, so I am obliged to rest late in the morning. 

Lady S. I am fortunate in finding von nltvady up. Will you 
excuse me if I go straight to the object of my visit at once? 

Gyp. Certainly. 

Lndy S. I wish to speak of mv son. I understand he lias been 
coming here a great deal, that he beli :ves himself to be foolishly in 
Jove with you. i 

Gyp. He has not told mo so. {they are seated l. and R. of table 

Lady S. All the more fortunate for you then, Miss Fresider. 
Believe me it would not be for your happiness, to marry my son. 
You have made for yourself a name, as a come ly actress, but your 
origin was, through no fault of \ our own, of course, very humble. 
Did my son marry you, none of bis family would recogn'zeyou, and 
you would be miserable. Added to that, my son, though a wealthy 
man now, may be a poor man at any moment. You lived, L under- 
stand, near the scene of the tragedy. So you have heard of tlu 
murder of Lady Arley. Whether her little child was murdered nlso, 
or stolen, no one knows. Any day she may be discovere I, then my 
son, though an earl, will be a poor man, and a la ly of your talent, 
would scarcely enjoy poverty. 

, Gyp. I suppose no one really cares for poverty, but if I loved a 
poor man, that surely would not prevent me from marrying him. 

Lady S. Do you me n th.it you will not give up my son? 

Gyp. He is not mine to give up. He has made no declaration of 
love 10 me; but if he loved me, and I him, I should consider it right 
to marry him, whether his family appoved or not. 

Lady S. Then yours would be a selfish love, indeel. A man of 
my son's position, should many from among the daughters of the 
highest in theland;an earl who marries beneath him, commits social 
suicide, and the woman who marr'es him, ruins his life. Ambition 
might make you marry my s mi, but did you love him, you would 
give him up. I have come here to- .lay to ask you to give him up. 
Will you do so? 

Gyp. Believe me, you trouble yourself too much; your son has 
said no word of love to me. But you must forgive me, if I do not 
agree with you, that a marriage with me would be so very terrible. 
I assure you that the doors of society are thrown open to me. 

Lady S. You will not promise then ? 

Gyp. No, I canno:. promise; and I think, that if ev r I am your 
daughter, you will have reasons to be glad, not- sorry. You take it 
for granted that my birth was lowiy ; it may be that it was nearly, 
if not quite as good as your own. 

Lady S. I do not understand— 

Gyp. Not now, but some dav you may; and believe me, Lady 
StUlweU. sometimes that which looks like our greatest trouble, turns 



86 THE OLD WAYSIDE IXN. 

out to b" our dearest blessin*. (Lady Stillwklt, rises 

Lad>/ S. I was fool sh to come. Good-morning Miss Fresider, I 
am sorry [ troubled you. lent, l. e., angry 

Gyp. Bruce ha« never said one word of love to me. yet I know he 
loves me. His mother, of course, does nof know of our relationship. 
If she knew that, would she not I)' srla 1 to receive me as her daugh- 
ter then? If lie asks me io he his wife, [ will consent. And then I 
will tell him who I am, and he shall tak • the news to hi- mother and 
the weigh' oil' her heart at the same time. (Bruce raps at door, L.) 
Oh ! here he comes now. ( goes to door 

Enter, Bruce, l. e. 

Bruce, (takes her hand) All alone? I am glad of that, fur I 
wis' ed to s*e von alone, Miss Fresider, or Beckwith, I don't know 
which to call you. 

Gyp. I hate the name Beckwith. 

Bruce. Then Miss Fresider. My mother has. just left you? 

Gyp. Yes. (draws It r hand from /it's 

Bruce. Will you tell me why she came? 

Gyp, It was a mistake her coining, she had heard exagera f ed re- 
p rts of our friend-hip. (she sits r. <</ t-d>le 

Bruce. Of our friend-hip? Mis< Fresider, you must ku >\v that it 
is something more than friendship that 1 feel for you; you must 
know that it is lov>\ deep intense love. 

Gyp. (shyly) That is what your mother feared. 

Bruce. Oh! that is nonsen-e, 1 can guess what my mother has 
siid to you. She means well, hut s le mig'it have done us both 
harm. J love you with my whole heart, my lite must he but a bar- 
ren desert of unh ppiness, if you do not love me. (kneels) I loved 
you upon that night, when you saved my life; through three long 
years, during which time I nev. r saw \ our face, knev not whether 
you were living or dead. I love you still, I shall love you until I 
die. Mis- Fleshier, Mona, have you no love to give me in return ? 

Gyp. Think, before j*ou ask me for my (lakes her hand) lov , who 
and what I am. Though that terrible sin stained man, who wood 
have taken your life, had I not warned you, wa- not indeed my 
father, hut lie hadstoo I in that rel itionship to me all my life; hi- wife, 
whose memory is «aered to me, was the oulv m >t';er I ever knew. 
1 lived all my childlc od, all mv girlhood in that tenih'e, gha-tly 
place, where murder alter murder was committed. Could I blame 
anvone if they thought I wa- tainted with the sins ami crimes c >m- 
niitted there? From there, as you know, I wascarried aw iy by that 
terrible man, hut thmk God, I escaped. Without friends, almost 
without nionev, I entered a profession, which is held in detesta'ion 
by many. Your mother would shrink troni recogniz ng me as a 
daughier, your frii nils would not receive me. Think well — wo nl I 
mv love compensate you fir the .oss ot a mother's love and the af- 
fection of friends? 

Bruce. I shall loose neither my mother's love, nor the aftection of 
my friends, hut even were it so, I would lather have your love. 
Mona. wont you tell me whether or not, 1 have any hope? 

Gyp. Not vet. (strokes his hair 

Bruce. Mona. I know in asking vou to give your love to me, that 
I ask a great d 'al. I ask ' on to give up the prou 1 name you h vo 
won in "your prot'essi >n, but dear, you shall never regret it. 1 will 



THE OLD WAYSIDE INN. 27 

love you so! I will make your life so happy! Will you tell me 
now darling, whether there is hope for me. (she bends forward 

Gyp. There is every hope. 

Bruce. Every hope! Do you mean, Mona, do you mean that you 
do love me ? {both rise 

Gyp. Ye?, I do love you, but wait; think one moment more be- 
fore you make up your mind, that it is best for you to love me. 

Bruce. I will not wait, I know that it is best, (puts arm about her 
waist) And you darling, don't you know that it is best? What a 
lucky fellow I am, to win your love? 

Gyp. I quite agree with you. You are a lucky fellow, and now 
Bruce, I want to tell you a secret. 

Bruce. A secret? Is it that you love me with all your heart, 
dearest? 

Gyp. That can scarcely be my secret. No, Bruce, my secret is, 
I am a princess in disguise. 

Bruce. More than that, a queen among women without any dis- 
guise. 

Gyp. No! no! I am not joking:. Bruce, you know where I was 
brought up; you know that your aunt was murdered on that moor, 
that herlittleehild was missing. Dearest, I was that little child, I 
am your cousin. 

Bruce. You ! you are surely joking. 

Gyp. No! here are the papers that will prove (gives papers) my 
lights. Now, that \ am to be your wife, I shall never claim them. 
Your mother must know who I am. Let the rest of the world be- 
lieve that you have married simply Mona Fresider, the actress. 

Brncr. (reads papers, then looks up) I am no match for you now. 
Why did you not tell me this before? 

Gyp. Because I wanted to make sure that I was loved as few 
tvornen have ever been loved. And if you had no title at all, I 
should be thankful for your love alone. I never will claim my ri'zht, 
unless you wish the world to know, vou are marrying some one of 
your own rank in iife, but I ivould be very much disappointed if you 
did. 

Bruce. You shall never be disappointed in me, Mona, if I can help 
it. But dear, most all I have is yours. 

; Gyp. And when I am your wife, all you have will be mine, so I 
will be better off still. 

CHANGE TO HOUSE SCENE. 

SCENE II. — Detective headquarters — table c, Pat in chair R. ot 
table — two arm chairs l. of table— books, pens and paper on table. 

Pat. Well, we the great detective? have conquered one of the 
most dirtr spallpeens in the county, and three of his b'oody fol- 
lower-. But it is hard to think that — that poor °:M should have to 
die. I exnect Bruce here to-dav to pay us off, and then for a bum. 
(rap heard, k.) Come in! come in! 

Enter, Bruce, r. e. 

Bruce. Well Pat, {shake hands) I have come to settle UD with 



"<* THE OLD WAYSIDE I NIT. 

you and your partners. You put those men out of the way and you 
< eserve your pav. She is to be my wife now, and I can afford to 
give you each $5,000. Where are the boys? 

Pat. Oh! they are gone for a drink, I suppose. Whist now, 
tliey'r coining— just hear that now. Och, sure an they are a happy 
lot. 

Enter, Fritz and Washington, arm in arm, singing Bazzle, Dazzle. 

Bruce. Howde do boy?, been having some sport? Well, I don't 
blame you. (shake hands 

Fritz. Say, Mester Bruce, how vos dot gal vot ve found? 

Bruce. Slip is well and will be my wife. 

Fritz. Polly for you Mester Pruce. She vos i'ne pretty nice 
gal, py shiineny Christmas. 

Pat. Never mind yer palaver, Fritz, let's recite our piece. 

They swing into line before Bruce and speak — they jestulate and each 
speak in a different brogue. 

Pat t We've done our duty, Bruce Stillwell, 

jr r ,'tz ' And sent tho*e villains all to — 

Was^h ' ^ e know vou'H to your word be true, 

J And tha: $10,000 now is due. 

Bruce. Indeed boys it is, and you shall each have $5,000. (seats 
and writes checks) He e is a check on my bank for each of you. 

(hands check to each — they bow 

1 Now, Mr. Stillwell, we're through, you see; 

p ai Mav yon marv an I happy be, 

Wash ' W' tn a peaceful home, a loving wife, 

Fritz' ' ^ dozen kids to cheer your life; 

j A >'d with trust and friendship true, 

j We bid you now a fond adieu. (they bow 

Bruce. Thank you bovs. Good-by. (exit, r. e. 

Pat. Ain't he the broth of a bve? 

Fritz. Yah! he v >s a rose pti 1. Don 'tit Wash? (noise outside 
Wash. By srollv, he am dot. S iy boss, dere's some one co ning. 
1 ain't got no head for business dismorniu', so I'll retire. Comin' 
Fri'z? 
Fritz. Yah ! 

(exit, Washington and Fritz, l. e. — knock at door, R. 
Pat. Come in ! come in ! Who the divil can want us now? 

Enter, Lady Stillwell, r. e. 

Take a chair, madam. What can I do for you? 

Lady S. Are yon the detective? 

Pat. Yes. mam. at your serv'ce. 

Lady 8. Well, I have a very hard case, it is no new one. You 
have heard of the murder of Lady Arley, have you not? 

Pat. Yes, mam. 

Lady S. I think that her child lives, and I want you and your 
partners to work on this case. I want you to find her arid restore to 
bur, her rights, WW you take the case, 



THE OLD WAYSIDE INN. 29 

Pat. Yes, madam, we never let a case go by. And yon may be 
sure, that if she can be found, we will And her. 

Lady S. Do it sir ! and I will reward you well, (aside) Gerty 
is dead. Oh! poor — poor girl, dead, and on his account. But I 
shall have revenue, even though he be my son. The heiress shall be 
found and restored to her property, and you mv obstinate son sh ill 
go penniless. 

Enter, Washington and Fritz, l. e. 

Pat. Lady Stillvvell, my partners, (botes) By's, this lady 
wishes to find Miss Lillian Arley, daughter of the woman that was 
murdered at the Old Wayside Inn, eighteen years ago. We'll take 
the job. 

Wash. I Now dear Lady, if you'll give us some dust, 
Frits. J We'll find the young lady, dear Madam, or bust. 



CHANGE TO SCENE I, ACT III. 

SCENE III. — Same as scene 1st. in Act 3d. — Lady Stillwell pacing 

floor. 

Lady S. Will they never come. Oh! will she ever forgive me 
for talking so to her. I might have known she was not a low bore 
girl by her looks. Ah ! here they are. 

Enter, Bruce and Gyp, l. e. — Lady Stillwell and Gyp embrace, 

Can you forgive me dear? It was love and anxiety for mv son, that 
made me so cruel to you. 

Oyp. Then I will forgive you. And now Lady Stillwell, you are 
willing: to receive me as your daughter? 

Lady S. More than willing — glad! 

(kisses her — Bruce, r.. Lady Stillwell and Gyp, c. 

Gyp. Ours is a real romance. I did not dream that I would ever 
s°e you again, and discover in you a near relative. Although I al- 
wavs remembered you. 

Bruc": But I believe 1 that T should meet vou sooner or later. I 
could not get you out of ray mind, after I had looked upon your 
face. 

Gyp. And you will always love me, Bruce? 

Bruce. Could vou do'ibt me, dearest? 

Gyp. No, for <i n I not know how faithful you hive been to that 
girl of the O'd Wayside Inn. Why, Bruce, she did not imagine 
that she had made so great an impression upon the handsome 
stranger, who>e life she endeavored to save. 

Bruce. But she is glad that she did make an impression, is she 
not? 

Gyp. Yes, very glad dear Bruce. 



w THE OLD WAYSIDE J.ViV. 

Enter, Pat, Washington and Fritz, arm in arm. 

Pit ^ 

Wash i We ' ve come to tell you Madam, dear, 

Fritz.' I r ^ he Ion " ^ ost neir ss stands right here. 

(point to Gyp 

Lady S. We are well aware of ihe fact, but you shall he rewarded 
for your bravery in your work for my son. (gives money 

Pat. So you got onto the heiress before we came, did you? 

Lady S. Yes, but you did a great deal for my son. 

Gyp, Allow me to thank you for what you have done for me. 

(gives each a check 

Pat. Thank ye mum, and may the saints ever bless ye and thh 
good bye, who is to be yer partner through life. He is a brave bye, 
mum, and it is the wish of Patrick O'Flagher y, t iat ye miy live 
long and happy. An' Bruce, me lad never regret yer adventure at 
the Old Wayside Inn, for it hasatlast brought you h-'ppiness. May 
the Holy Saints bless ye foivy. r, for giving Pat and Fritz a ease. 

Wash. ) 

Fritz. \ Amen! 

Bruce. Thank you Pat, and may you and your good company 
ever florish, and may yon ever be as successful as in the case of the 
"Old Wayside Inn." 

CURTAIN. 



Happy Frank's 

SONGSTER. 



A collection of Original Songs, Jokes, Farces, 
Conundrums, Stump Speeches, Lectures, 
Sketches, etc., embraced in the rep- 
ertoire of the Prince of Comedians, 

F. L. CUTLER 

CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

A Leedle Experience, Dutch Lecture, 3 

As I said before, Negro Slump Speech, 4 

Come Back Steven, Banjo Solo, 5 

Encore Verse, Banjo Solo, 6 

Machine Poetry, Banjo Solo, 6 

Break de Bone, Banjo So^, 7 

Cnff's Luck, Ehiopean Farce, 10 

Oh Susan, Ba jo Sole, 15 

Dot Peautiful Awkward Squad, Dutch Song, 17 

Dhe Vicked Voraan, Dutch Lec'ure, 19 

Old Pompoy, A Sketch " 20 

Pete's Face, End Man's Gag 24 

Happy Frank's Medley, No. 1, 25 

Johannes don't you do it, Dutch Song ; . . . 26 

My Darling Clementine, Banjo Solo, 28 

Wanted a Husband, A Farce in. one Act, 30 

PRICE 15 CENTS EACH. 
Order a copy of 

Ames' Publishing Co., 

T uock Box 152, . Clyde. Ohio. 



+^Gyp, the Heiress;-^ 

OR, 

The Bead Witness. 



A Drama in 4 acts by Len Ware, for 5 male and 4 female 
ckaracters. 

The cast contains a good villain, a soubrette, a chinaman; 

a "deown East" aunt, and an insurance agent 

make up the rest. 

Costumes to suit characters. 
SYNOPSIS OF EVENTS. 

ACT I.— Drawing-room of Oscar Royalton, Silver City, Nevada. 

Aunt Rachel — Oscars Aunt, from down East — Hezekiah Hopeful, 
a tramp — "No mustach near me" — Gyp — a-b-c — Thornton the 
Villain — A sacred trust — Royalton depart for the East — Clara and 
Thornton — lie demands the papers — "I'll guard them with my life 
— Supposed murder of Clara and Hezekiah — "Heavens! I'm a 
murderer — I'll burn the house and conceal my crime — Exciting fire 
6cene. 

ACT II.— Hop Sing's Laundry. 

Takemquick — A live Insurance man — Rachel and Gyp — Hop Sing 
and Rachel — The fight — Takemquick on hand — Sister Carmeta re- 
veals a secret to Gyp and Rachel — Thornton's demand of Hop Sing, 
his accomplice — The refusal — An attempt to murder Hop Sing— 
The Dead Witness appears. 

ACT III.— Thornton's Law Office. 

Hezekiah the tramp, secures a position in Thornton's office — 
Takemquick — Hezekiah reveals to Gyp who her enemy is — "Trust me 
I'll get your fortune for you" — Hezekiah's novel — Sister Carmeta — 
'•I'm here to avenge the death of Clara Royalton" — The shot — I am 
the Dead Witness — "A colt revolver" — Oscar disguised — A game of 
cards — "Discovered" — Oath of vengeance-~Hezekiah holds both 
bowers. 

ACT IV.— Same Scene as Act III. 

Love scene between Hezekiah and Rachel — Proposal — Two notes 
: — Thornton shot by Hop Sino; — Oscar in disguise — Clara is the Dead 
"Witness, who escaped death in the burning house — Oscar throws oft 
disguise and introduces Gyp as his wife — Death of Thornton — Devils 
toast — Hezekiah presents papers to prove Gyp's inheritance and 
is ready for matrimony — Aunt Rachel finally surrenders and all are 
happy. 

Time of playing 1 hour and 40 minutes. Price 25 Cents, 



I 



gj ^ 

iimes' Plays— G nntinuEii. 



Comedies Continued. 

ITi} Factory Girl .: 

'-'i!, Heroic Dutchman ol 

[99 Hotn 

174 Love's Labor Not Lost 

I5S Mr.Hudson's Tiger Hunt.... 

119 New Years in X. \ 

37 Nol So Bad After All 

ih » F ol :is II" Loo] 

.. S li 

igand the Baby 

li I Passions 

Experience 

) :' 

219 Rags and J l 

h Sharps and Flat 

11 2 

aa Tw- Bad Hoy- 7 3 

87 The Biti .. 3 ■' 
131 TheCigarette i - 

240 J2.00tl Ri ward 2 

TRAGEDIES. 

.... (5 :; 

FARCES & COMEDIETTA S. 

. . 2 I 

- nt 1 i 

ir| 

'. Capita Match 2 

in the Dark 2 3 

ATexan Mother-in-Law 4 (> 

A h.-n Well Spent 7 s 

A Regular Fix 2 1 

A Profession i : : .' rdoner 4 2 

Aiarmi'. is 4 3 

An Awfi 1 Criminal 

A .Vlatclini .k;iv Father 2 2 

4 2 

A Thrilling Item 

Leave 

Betsev Baker 2 2 

Half 

-. White 

Captain Smith •"• 3 

Will Win 3 ii 

Cousin Toaiah 1 1 

Cupids Capers 

id s K ■ eptioi) Party. 5 

n it 1 

i Surprises 1 1 

Deuce is iti Him 5 1 

Did Dream it -I 3 

1 1 

D-tfeh Prize Fighter 

Dutchy vs. Nil - ,; " 

Rh? W at Did You Saj 

Hven hod.v Astonished t 

Pooling with the Wrone Man 2 I 

ig a Mother -in-Law... 2 ! 

Fun in a Post Office 4 2 



'. 


NO. 




184 





274 


., 


2H9 


., 


13 


3 

1 


307 



316 

\-l 

ll<l 

~MI 

7s 
813 

21 

175 

So 

22 

si 

2s7 

22:. 

317 

249 

49 

7'' 

19 

1SS 

Us 

21 S 
221 

15) 



273 
29('i 

44 
33 

■V." 
217 

171 
[80 

48 

lis 

232 

'41 

1 
137 



Family Discipline. 
Family J;i 



1 



3t 



Goose with the Golden Eggs.. 

Give Me My Wife 

HaMabahoola, the Medicine 



Hans, the Dutch .1. P 

Hans Brummel's Cafe 

II ,;h 

H. M. S. Plum 

How She ha- Own Way 

How He Popped the Quest'n. 

How to Tame M-in-L.iw 

How Stout Your Getting 

Incompatibility of Temper... 
In the Wrong Clothes 

ulaff's Mistake 

•limniie Jones 

John Smith 

Jolv>nes Btatz's Mistake 

Jumbo Jum 

Killing Time 

Kittie's Wedding Cake 

Lick Skillet Wedding 

Lauderbach's Little Surprise 
Locked in a Drcs 

Boom 

Lodgings for Two 

Love in all i ioroers 

Matrimonial Bliss 

Match f or a other Min Law.. 

.More Blunders than one 

Fool 

Vfy Heart's in Highlands 

My Precious Betsey 

ii Next 

M Wife'? Relations 

My Day and Now n Days 
My Neighbor's Wife 

Leap *> ear Venture.. 

Nobody's M,,ke 

Obedience 

<>n the Slv 

P.ohly .Mil,.. s ' Boy 

Paten Washing Machine 

Persecuted Dutchman 

Poor Pilicody 

Qniet Family 

Rough Diamond 

Hippies 

I 

S;p ta < ' I er 



Sowing Circle of Period 

S. II. A. M. Pinafore 

Somebody's Nobody 

Stage Struck Yankee 

Struck by Lightning 

Slick umI Skinner 

Slasher and Crasher 

Taking the Census 

. fill Carpet Pair.. 

Thai Rascal Pat 

Tli it Mysterious B'dle 



5 

1 

:: 



& 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




V 



016 102 83 1 9 *, 



J5_mBS ? Plays— LantinuBd. 



NO. 

38 

101 

167 

308 
285 

liS 

295 
54 

28 
292 
142 
271 i 
263 
7 
281 
312 
269 
170 
213 
151 
56 
7(1 
135 
147 
155 

111 
157 



The Bewitched Closet 

The Coming l| an ■'> 1 

Turn Him Out '■' '-' 

The Actor's Scheme 4 4 

The Irish Squire of Squash 

Ridge I I 

The Mashers Mashed & ^ 

The Sham Professor 4 

The Spellin' Skewl < *> 

The Two T.J's 4 2 

Thirty-three Next Birthday.. 4 2 

Tim Flannigan 5 

Tit for Tat - J 

The Printer and His Devils 3 1 

Trials of a Country Editor.... 6 2 

The Wonderful Telephone.... 8 1 

Two Aunt Emily " ° 

Uncle Ethan ' 3 

Unjust Justice 6 '- 

11.8. Mail 2 2 

Vermont Wool Dealer 5 3 

Wanted a Husband - I 

Wooing Under Difficultie 5 3 

Which will he Marry 2 8 

Widowc's Trials 4 5 

Wakmg Him Up 1 2 

Why they Joined the Re- 
beccas ° j 

Yankee Duelist 3 1 

Ya' kee Peddler i ■'< 

ETHIOPIAN FARCES. 



204 

32". 

65 

II 
172 

VIS 
"2'' 
2T4" 
145 
190 

27 
23H 
15:-; 
103 

24 
236 

47 



Acadenn of Stars 6 

\ ' 'oincidence 8 

An Unwelcome Return "• 1 

An Unhappj Pair 1 1 

Black Shoemaker 4 2 

Black Statue 4 2 

Colored Senators 3 

Chops 3 

Cuff's Luck 2 1 

Crimps Trip 5 

Fetter Lane to Gravesend 

Hamlet the Dainty 6 1 

Haunted House 

How Sister Paxey got her 

Child Baptized 

\11dy 2 

Hypochondriac The' 2 

In For ll 3 I 

In the Wrong Box 3 

Joe's Vis t 2 1 

Mischievous Nigger 4 2 



n t o. m. r. 

256 Midnight Colic 2 1 

12S Musical Darkey 2 

90 No Cure \o Pay 3 1 

61 Not as Deaf as He Seems 8 

244 Old Clothes 3 

234 Old Dad's Cabin 2 1 

150 OldPomney 1 1 

246 Othello.: 4 1 

109 Other People's Children 3 2 

297 Pomp Green's Snakes 2 

134 Pomp's Pranks 2 

258 Prof.Bones'Latest Invention 5 

177 Quarrelsome Servants 3 

96 Rooms to Let 2 1 

107 School 

133 Seeins Bostit^ 

170 Sham Doctor.. 3 3 

34 16,000 Years Ago 3 

243 Snorts on a Lark 3 

25 Sport with a Sportsman 2 

92 Stage Struck Darkey 2 1 

238 Strawberry Shortcake 2 

10 Stocks lip. Stocks Down 2 

64 That Bov Sam 3 1 

2.".;; The Best Cure *4 1 

282 The Intelligence Office 3 

122 The Select School .. . 

IIS The Popcorn Man 

6 TheStulio 

108 Tho-e Awful Boys 

245 Ticket Taker 

I 4'wa.n's Dodging 

107 Tricks 

198 Cn.-le Jeff 

216 V-u-e Versa 

206 Villkens and Dinah I 1 

210 Virginia Mummv 6 1 

203 Who Stole the Chickens 1 I 

205 William Tell 4 

1.56 Witr-Maker and His Servants 3 

GUIDE BOOKS. 

"17 Hints od Elocution 

13(1 Hints to Amateurs 



CANTATA. 

215 On to Victory 

TABLEAUX. 

250 Festival of Days 

PANTOMIME. 

260 Cousin John's Album 



MAKE YOUR OWN WIGS ! 

PREPARED WOOL Is an article that everyone without any experience 
can mike into 

WIGS, BEARDS, MUSTACHES, ETC., 

At very little cost, and will be sure to give satisfaction. Price 50 cents per ounce. 



Lock Box 152, 

rh 



Addr 



1HE AMES PUBLISHING CO., 



UL YDE, OHIO. 



xE 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



016 102 831 9 * 



